Australian Paige Greco, Paralympic gold medallist, dies at 28

Australian cyclist Paige Greco, a Paralympic gold medalist, has died. She was 28.

A joint statement from the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Cycling Federation said Greco “passed away at her home in Adelaide following a sudden attack of illness” on Sunday.

“Paige meant everything to us,” said her mother, Natalie Greco. “Her kindness, her determination and her warmth touched our family every single day. She brought so much joy and pride into our lives and the pain of her passing is something we will carry forever.

“While we are devastated by her loss, we are incredibly proud of the person she was and the way she represented Australia.”

Greco, who was born with cerebral palsy, won the first gold medal at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, breaking her own world record in the C1-3 women's 3,000m individual pursuit.

She then won bronze medals in the road race and time trial.

Greco has also won several World Championship titles and World Cup medals since bursting onto the para-cycling scene with three world records, two gold medals and a silver at the 2019 World Athletics Championships – just a year after switching from para-athletics to cycling.

Paralympic Australia CEO Cameron Murray said the loss of one of the Australian Paralympic movement's brightest young stars was devastating.

“The sadness felt by all of Paralympics Australia today is a reflection of the enormous respect in which it was held,” said Cameron Murray, CEO of Paralympics Australia. “Paige was an outstanding athlete, but more importantly, a wonderful person.

“Her achievements on the international stage were exceptional, but it was her kindness, her quiet determination and the way she inspired the people around her that will stay with us all. She had a rare ability to make people feel included and supported, and her influence will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on many.”